SWORD CHAPE JIANBI WITH DRAGON AND KNOBBED DECORATION
SWORD CHAPE JIANBI WITH DRAGON AND KNOBBED DECORATION
Jade
China, late Eastern Zhou to Western Han period, 3rd - 2nd cent. BC
This trapezoidal piece is also referred to as a sword shoe. On one side is a chilong (chi-dragon), featured in half-plastic relief with a smooth body, horn and tail with volute. Typical for this kind of dragon are its exultant movements and its rather flat, wide heads. The body of this chilong is partially covered by a cloud. On the other side is an area with guwen, the small knobs of which are connected by lines in groups of three and, on the edges, in pairs. The border features a triangular, lined pattern. The outer surfaces are smooth; drilled hole in the middle. The mineral has a yellow-green color with reddish areas probably due to iron oxidization.
Dimensions: HEIGHT 3.8 CM, WIDTH 6.5 CM
Condition: Very well preserved, see images of its weathering online
Provenance: From a Canadian collection.